Getting basic laptop for parents (and installing their current SSD) - Page 2 - Computer Technical Help

You would get far better bang for your buck from a regular desktop PC, not a mini PC. And it should be much easier to keep running by upgrading components, etc (beware of manufacturers' own form factors but still far less of an issue in a mini PC).

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12-28-2020 , 08:07 AM

#27

PartyGirlUK

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They insist they don't have room for a regular desktop PC and once they get these ideas they're almost impossible to move them off it. They've denied evaporation in order to "win" an argument.

Remember to factor what "bang for your buck" as regards to a better graphics card or extra processing power means for folks who use the common for Zoom, sending emails and Microsoft Word. Increased upgradability is good, being able to get a computer that will last five years for £200 rather than £300 is good, but the ability to play Cyberpunk 2077 is irrelevant.

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12-29-2020 , 08:00 PM

#28

gamboneee

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the one i had posted last has decent specs, im not sure if the fanless will matter for such light use.

the other option i was thinking, what about a slim pc, like they have at schools or libraries etc? could just lay it sideways and sit the monitor on it to save space, and they have decent enough desktop specs

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12-31-2020 , 07:27 AM

#29

PartyGirlUK

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Quote:

Originally Posted by gamboneee

It's fine I don't think I can convince my parents to spend an extra £200 to get 16GB RAM rather than 8GB and a faster processor. I am not sure it's worth it to them - something like this should last them for five years and then they can buy a new mini pc for a similar price.

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01-01-2021 , 06:42 AM

#30

ionutd

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this one can sit horizontally underneath the monitor, so doesn't take any more space and it's both faster and cheaper
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dell-OptiPl...mputers&sr=1-4

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01-01-2021 , 12:40 PM

#31

gamboneee

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yeah something like that.

i guess i was mistaken on the budget, i thought it was 4-500

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01-01-2021 , 01:52 PM

#32

PartyGirlUK

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ionutd

this one can sit horizontally underneath the monitor, so doesn't take any more space and it's both faster and cheaper
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dell-OptiPl...mputers&sr=1-4

Thanks. The won't get anything "renewed". Any arguments you make are irrelevant. Sorry to be a pain!

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01-01-2021 , 01:54 PM

#33

PartyGirlUK

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I highly doubt they'll go for a desktop that slide under the monitor, but if you find one that's new I'll suggest it and await the "I appreciate what you say but mum and I have both decided we don't want to go for a tower" reply.

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01-01-2021 , 01:56 PM

#34

PartyGirlUK

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I appreciate all the feedback btw. Apologies if it sometimes appears otherwise.

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01-01-2021 , 02:12 PM

#35

gamboneee

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https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beelink-SEi...puters&sr=1-15

looks decent, can upgrade the ram, new i3/older i5 appears WAY better than any celeron, price is good

soon we're gonna have to open up betting lines on who buys first: paulys monitor or deans parents computer

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01-01-2021 , 02:47 PM

#36

PartyGirlUK

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My parents are actually bugging me to buy something so they'll probably do something in the next couple of days. I'll probably recommend something on the lower end of what y'all are suggesting - e.g hard to see the difference between 8GB & 16GB RAM given their usage.

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01-01-2021 , 05:18 PM

#37

gamboneee

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i would agree there but i think even in light usage, a bad cpu will show through. not so much that it cant handle things, but just that its slower than it needs to be. maybe for older people thats a non issue, but it would bug the sht out of me at least

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01-07-2021 , 01:11 PM

#38

PartyGirlUK

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Dad wants this since Lenovo have a phone number he can ring if he's having trouble with the computer. It has 4GB RAM but 1 slot which can take 16GB RAM - I'm happy to upgrade in a couple of years if needs must.

What do y'all think? I'm getting a little frustrated and keen to buy something, but not willing to go forego something clearly superior (and no, they're not going for a "tower").

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01-07-2021 , 02:22 PM

#39

ionutd

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go for it

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01-08-2021 , 10:10 AM

#40

Gabethebabe

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Quote:

Originally Posted by PartyGirlUK

It has 4GB RAM but 1 slot which can take 16GB RAM - I'm happy to upgrade in a couple of years if needs must.

I would do that right away. 4GB is lol.

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01-08-2021 , 11:56 AM

#41

PartyGirlUK

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But otherwise, given the previous discussion, a green light?

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01-08-2021 , 01:28 PM

#42

PartyGirlUK

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Ugh the price went up £120. Told my parents to wait a while, will post in here when something else comes up. Grr.

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01-08-2021 , 07:31 PM

#43

gamboneee

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wanna revisit

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingdel%C2%...puters&sr=1-10

not sure what the price range is now, but seems like solid specs and won't need to be tinkered with.

i hear paulys narrowed it down to 47 monitors, better hurry

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05-23-2021 , 05:31 PM

#44

PartyGirlUK

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Hi - me again.

i) Any thoughts on this?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ACEPC-Proce...s&sr=1-10&th=1

ii) Someone recommended this mini pcs specialist company to my dad https://www.vjmcomputers.co.uk/ - anything there I should look at?

To recap for people new to the thread

- for various reasons which may or may not be rational my parents want a mini pc
- they use computers for browsing the web, sending emails, zoom etc.
- it should last for a few years, be reliable etc. but it really doesn't seem super high specs, or a fancy graphics card
- they have a webcam but we'd probably need to buy everything else (monitor, keyboard/mouse and presumably some sort of speakers) separately. I'm happy to do so.

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05-23-2021 , 06:32 PM

#45

headtrauma

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IIRC you're parents are also unwilling to do refurbs, right?
Anything Celeron/Pentium is going to be pretty painfully anemic, but an 8th gen or later i3 should be fine.
I'd consider going for one of the more business targeted micro PCs like the Lenovo Thinkcentre Tiny series. Lenovo ships a ton of these and they're designed to be strapped behing a monitor and not have to be touched until they get retired.
https://www.lenovo.com/gb/en/desktop.../M-Series-Tiny

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05-24-2021 , 05:51 AM

#46

ionutd

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drop another 100 quid

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beelink-SEi...puters&sr=1-78

or better value

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ryzen-Upgra...uters&sr=1-100

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05-30-2021 , 07:45 AM

#47

PartyGirlUK

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Hi all - Lenovo offered my dad a 20% discount on this mini pc

https://www.lenovo.com/gb/en/desktop.../p/99IC9500364

It looks good to me and I intend to recommend buying it unless y'all tell me not to. So ... do we have a thumbs up?

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05-30-2021 , 08:10 AM

#48

ionutd

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yesh

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05-30-2021 , 01:12 PM

#49

headtrauma

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Should be good to go.

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